Thanks to key performances by four Philadelphia players and a Philly coach, the United States won its sixth straight Under-19 International Lacrosse Federation (ILF) U-19 World Championship.

The tournament was held at Percy Perry Stadium in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada, and featured stiff competition from the host team. In fact, the US, which extended its all-time record in international competition to 36-0 dating back to the championships’ inception in 1988, had to struggle mightily to defeat Canada, 16-15, in overtime to win the pool-play contest.

In that game, Ohio State’sJames Green (Central Bucks East graduate) scored his third goal of the game with 47 seconds remaining in the first overtime to help the United States finish a miraculous comeback from a five-goal deficit with less than seven minutes to play and stun Canada.

With help from Green, Johns Hopkins’ Matt Dolente (Malvern Prep), Penn State recruit Matt Mackrides (Malvern Prep), and Villanova’s John Lade (who has since transferred to Syracuse), the US had an easier time against Canada in the finals before 3,400 fans.

Dolente was especially on his game, winning 19 of 28 face-offs and scoring a goal to help the U.S. clubCanada, 19-12. Dolente, entering his sophomore year at Hopkins, was named to the All-World Team and was named the Top Midfielder for the tourney.

“It was a lot of pressure. You try not to talk about it, but there is that pressure to win,” said U.S. head coachChuck Apel, who was assisted by Haverford School’s John Nostrant. “But the kids had a pretty good handle on it. It’s still lacrosse, and they’ve all played for a thousand years. It’s what they do best.”

In the semifinals, Mackrides collected four goals and three assists and Green added two goals and an assist while Dolente dominated the X (15 of 20 face-offs) to lead the U.S. to a 25-5 rout over England

In five pool-play games, Mackrides had 14 goals and Green added eight goals. Dolente won 81 of 127 face-offs (64 percent) and Lade was a mainstay for the defense.

All-World Team

A Craig Dowd (USA)

A Emmett Printup (Iroquois)

A Jayson Card (Canada)

M Kevin Crowley (Canada)

M Adam Jones (Canada)

M Matt Dolente (USA)

D Brock Sorenson (Canada)

D Peter Fallon (USA)

D Jason Johns (Iroquois)

G Adam Ghitelman (USA)

Most Outstanding Players

Most Outstanding Attackman – Craig Dowd (USA)

Most Outstanding Midfielder – Matt Dolente (USA)

Most Outstanding Defenseman – Peter Fallon (USA)

Most Outstanding Goalkeeper – Adam Ghitelman (USA)

Most Outstanding Player – Adam Jones (Canada)

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